the moors, before I turned my face
homeward, and went down the path to where the roof of Durrisdeer shone
in the morning by the sea.

* * * * *

At the customary hour I had the Master called, and awaited his coming in
the hall with a quiet mind. He looked about him at the empty room and
the three covers set.

"We are a small party," said he. "How comes that?"

"This is the party to which we must grow accustomed," I replied.

He looked at me with a sudden sharpness. "What is all this?" said he.

"You and I and your friend Mr. Dass are now all the company," I replied.
"My lord, my lady, and the children are gone upon a voyage."

"Upon my word!" said he. "Can this be possible? I have indeed
fluttered your Volscians in Corioli! But this is no reason why our
breakfast should go cold. Sit down, Mr. Mackellar, if you
please"--taking, as he spoke, the head of the table, which I had
designed to occupy myself--"and as we eat, you can give me the details
of this evasion."

I could see he was more affected than his language carried, and I
determined to equal him in coolness. "I was about to ask you to take the
head of the table," said I; "for though I am now thrust into the
position of your host, I could never forget that you were, after all, a
member of the family."

For a while he played the part of entertainer, giving directions to
Macconochie, who received them with an evil grace, and attending
specially upon Secundra. "And where has my good family withdrawn to?" he
asked carelessly.

"Ah! Mr. Bally, that is another point," said I. "I have no orders to
communicate their destination."

"To me," he corrected.

"To any one," said I.

"It is the less pointed," said the Master; "_c'est de bon ton_: my
brother improves as he continues. And I, dear Mr. Mackellar?"

"You will have bed and board, Mr. Bally," said I. "I am permitted to
give you the run of the cellar, which is pretty reasonably stocked. You
have only to keep well with me, which is no very difficult matter, and
you shall want neither for wine nor a saddle-horse."

He made an excuse to send Macconochie from the room.

"And for money?" he inquired. "Have I to keep well with my good friend
Mackellar for my pocket-money also? This is a pleasing return to the
principles of boyhood."

"There was no allowance made," said I; "but I will take it on myself to
see you are supplied in moderation."

"In moderation?" he repeated. "A